Irish Music Magazine - February 2002

Ireland

Consider it Done

Sean Laffey meets Benny McCarthy and Ciarán O Gealbhain who talk about the new album and the George Clooney influence.

A Hidden Harvest

Aidan O'Hara makes a short trip across town to interview Mary Black; naturally enough minds are concentrated on her new album, which is doing very well in the charts.

You'll Never Beat the Irish

The latest album from Noel Nagle, Tommy Byrne and Brian Warfield of The Wolfe Tones, released by Celtic Collections, is an album with a difference, modern sounding yet full of the facts of history. John O'Regan hears more on the enduring thirty-eight year history of the Tones.

Flute Music in the Making

When flute players talk of exponents and instrument makers, the name 'Hammy' Hamilton often comes to their lips. Paul Dromey talks to the man who has earned worldwide renown for making top quality wooden concert flutes, for his writings on the instrument and of course his playing.

The Last Call for Ellis Island

Paul Dromey pays tribute to the life and work of exceptional songwriter Noel Brazil, who passed away on November 29th 2001.

North America

A Right Job of Journey Work

"I was known and am still known as a Bluegrass musician and that's not far off from Irish Traditional music. The instrumentation is very similar to Irish music and a lot of the traditional material is the same it just has a different accent that's all" Tim O'Brien tells John O'Regan.

Europe

Double Seven with Shantalla

Belgium based Shantalla, the rapidly rising stars of Continental Celtic music are firmly anchored in the Irish and Scottish traditions, as you will discover on listening to their latest album "Seven Evenings, Seven Mornings" on the Wild Boar label. Sean Laffey reports.

United Kingdom

Happy Birthday Greentrax

Alex Monaghan went along to the Queen's Hall Edinburgh for a bit of a do, the fifteenth birthday of a label that boasts over 100 traditional and folk artists, by the sound of it most of them were there and in full party mood.

Regulars

Up and Coming - Nervous? Not a Bit of It!

Travelling like most working musicians with sessions in Dublin and gigs around the country has yelded an enormous exposure to tunes and styles and Mícheál O'Raghallaigh has managed to convey this diversity in his tune choices on his debut album 'The Nervous Man'. Ita Kelly meets a confident concertina talent.

Story Behind the Song - Peggy Gordon

All of us who've ever enjoyed singing 'Peggy Gordon' owe a debt to Helen Creighton, 'Canda's First Lady of Folklore' writes Dan Milner, as he brings us the full version of this very popular ballad.

Music Personalities - O Thuaidh - O Chiarraí

'O Thuaidh' is the title of a new album from Maidhc Dainín O Sé and his son Caoimhín. Maidhc recalls spending evenings sitting outside a neighbour's window listening to the music when all his friends were playing pitching pennies and buttons. Ita Kelly listens to more stories from the Kingdom.

School of Excellence

"I'm entirely self-taught", says Chris Wilkes, now he is both an accomplished player and maker of the Irish wooden flute. Julian Gurr meets the master flute maker, in the best place to learn both trades, a schoolhouse!

Live Reviews

Join in the fun at the Frankie Kennedy Winter School and spend a night in church with Mícheál O'Suilleabháin and Mel Mercier

CD Reviews

Another selection of CD reviews brought to you in association with HMV

Looking Ahead

Next month is our annual St Patrick's Day issue, with the likes of Altan, Na Dorsa, Bohola, Sean Keane, Cran, Sean Tyrrell, Pat Kilbride, Tony MacManus and a whole bunch more ready to roll out new albums or kick off important tours. As usual there will be no shortage of stories for you next month.